Why Now?

Give Me Dignity provides fundamental tools in helping to combat the prevalence of child sex crimes, starting in Jamaica and eventually throughout the Caribbean. Indeed the timing is right as headlines continue to shock! With an unwavering sense of duty to our children, we are ready to tackle the enormous task of helping to rehabilitate the thousands already impacted, while trying to prevent further victimization of our children. Education is key, so is an open, honest dialogue that sweeps nothing under the rugs!

Global statistics based on reported cases reveal that one in every four girls and one in every six boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18. In Jamaica, more than 7,000 cases of child sexual abuse have been reported over the last four years. The Office of the Children’s Registry recently revealed 4, 499 cases of sexual abuse was reported in the first nine months of 2012—an increase of 11.4 percent over the corresponding period in 2011. According o the Registry, neglect was the most common report received, representing 27 percent of all reports.

This was followed by reports of children who were considered to be in need of care and protection at 18 percent, and children who were sexually abused which represented 17 percent. Perhaps most alarming is the rise in all major types of sexual abuse, which included a 66 percent increase in buggery, 28 percent increase in fondling and a 35 percent increase in incest. There was also a 31 percent increase in oral sex and 56 per cent increase in rape. Sadly, the level of crime in Jamaica is ranked among the top in the world and this also extends to sexual crimes and violence against women and girls in particular.

GMD specifically aims to:• Teach young people in schools how to recognize sexual abuse.

• Provide an outlet for teenagers to talk about Child Sexual Abuse without fear of judgment, ridicule or reprimand.